The Irish and Scottish fianna were a small group of warriors, typically consisting of two to twelve members who formed a fian. The fian comprised young men and teenagers who had not yet acquired possessions or status. The fian constituted a semi-mythological warrior cult with roots in Indo-European culture. Similar to the Roman velites, the fianna associated themselves with the wolf or the hound. From early May (the festival of Beltaine) until late October (the festival of Samhain), the Fian had to live outdoors and hunt for what nature provided.
Origin
In Indo-European cultures, it was a common practice for a group of men, ranging from teenagers to young adults, to be part of a warband (kóryos). These men had not yet accumulated wealth or influence and needed to prove themselves. These small groups often formed a cult around a god represented as a wolf, boar, or bear. These animals possessed specific traits that the youths channeled, such as cunning, strength, and aggression. Examples of this occur throughout Indo-European cultures, such as the Germanic Berserkers, the Celtic Fianna, the Roman Velites, and the Spartan Crypteia.
After enduring painful trials to join the group, the youths were sent away to live as landless warriors in the wild for several years. Within the group, lawless actions like nighttime raids and cattle rustling were common. These young men possessed nothing other than their weapons and lived on the fringes of society, relying on what nature provided. On one hand, their lives involved fighting, hunting, and raiding settlements; on the other hand, they revolved around recounting heroic tales and legends, such as those about the táin or cattle raids.
The initiation period within the kóryos was seen as a transitional phase preceding the status of an adult warrior and was typically culminated by joining the tribe.
Likely, other Celtic and Gallic tribes had a similar tradition to the fianna. According to the Roman writer Polybius, the Gaesatae fought naked and with primitive weapons in the Battle of Telamon in 225 BC.
Fian in mythology
The fianna are immortalized in the Fiannaigecht or Fenian Cycle, a collection of mythological tales revolving around Fionn mac Cumhaill. In the early stories, the fianna are indeed wandering bands, but in later tales, they are more akin to a kind of royal bodyguard. Many stories about the fianna are associated with the Scotti who colonized Dalriada (western Scotland).
Some mythological figures who were part of a fianna were:
Fionn mac Cumhaill: (last leader of the fianna)
Cumhall: (Fionn's father, former leader)
Goll mac Morna
Cailte mac Rónáin
Conan mac Morna
Diarmuid Ua Duibhne
Lughaidh Lámhfada
Oisín, son of Fionn
Oscar, son of Oisín
Cael Ua Neamhnainn
Appearance
It is written that members of the fianna had a hairstyle with long hair at the back, while partially shaved at the front of their heads. Some are said to have had peculiar marks on their faces, possibly indicating body paint or tattoos. Their battle cry was Dord Fiansa.
Older Roman sources mention that they fought naked or wore only trousers or a cloak. Several images have been found of naked Celtic warriors wearing only a belt. The belt possibly symbolized their bond to the fianna and the leader of the fianna.
End of the fianna
Until the 12th century literature, mentions of the Fianna are found. However, it is presumed that the church eventually put an end to this longstanding tradition. Church members sometimes referred to the fianna as díberga, meaning plunderers, and maicc báis (sons of death). Various stories narrate how Irish saints converted members of the fianna to Christianity, leading them to abandon their way of life.
However, in Ireland and Scotland, the tradition of the fianna evolved into similar customs of organized banditry by the later clans.
Irish Christianity & the end of the Fianna
While Christianity reached Ireland from late Roman culture, there were significant differences compared to the rest of Europe. Ireland and Scotland were relatively isolated compared to Rome. Moreover, neither country had ever been part of the Roman Empire. As a result, the attitude toward Christianity was different. There was no nostalgia for the glory days under Rome, and initially, there was less interest in engaging with other Christian regions.
While the Roman Catholic Church had a hierarchical structure with a clear power line from bishops to the pope, Old Irish Christianity opted for a more monastic approach. Monasteries, led by abbots, played a crucial role in Irish Christianity. These monasteries became centers of scholarship, art, and missionary activities.
Another major difference is that Old Irish Christianity adopted many local Celtic traditions. Hence, pre-Christian stories, such as those about Cú Chulainn or Fionn mac Cumhail, were preserved by Irish monks. This is also evident in Old Irish law. While Irish monks transcribed the legal texts, relatively few Christian influences are visible. Moreover, in early Christian Ireland, polyamory was allowed, and the saints often had the names and attributes of Celtic gods - an example of this is St. Brigid.
Ultimately, the church became less tolerant of the original Irish culture, especially after the Synod of Whitby in 664, which decided to adopt Roman practices.
Composition
We have loosely based this composition on an image of a warrior in the 9th-century Book of Kells. This book was created by Irish monks on the island of Iona in Scotland. As early as the 5th century, Ireland converted to Christianity. However, the depicted person could be both Christian and pagan, as there wasn't much change in the composition throughout the centuries.
Our character's name is Conchobar, which literally translates to "Lover of Hounds." A fitting name for a member of the fianna living in the cult of the wolf or the hound.
Undertunic, léine
The léine or tunic was the basis of every outfit. Because Conchobar also wears trousers, his léine is relatively short. The undertunic was made of light, undyed material.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/tunic-leif-natural.html
Tunic, léine
Over his undertunic, Conchobar wears another léine made of wool.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/herringbone-tunic-tyr-olive-grey.html
Trousers, broc
Most Irish people did not wear trousers but only a long tunic. King Magnus III of Norway adopted Irish attire and was even called Magnus Barelegs. However, there are early examples of trousers, such as in the Book of Kells. The men depicted wearing them were likely of relatively low status.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-trousers-herringbone-motif-tilda-black-grey.html
Cloak, brat
The cloak was an important component of Irish attire. Especially for traveling bands, the brat was indispensable, providing protection against the elements and doubling as a sleeping bag.
The illustrations in the Book of Kells depict a relatively short cloak worn by men with trousers, while a brat likely reached the ankle when the wearer only had on a léine.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/medieval-cloak-karen-grey.html
Belt
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/9th-century-viking-belt.html
Spears
The fianna were lightly armed because they didn't possess many belongings and needed to attack and withdraw swiftly. The spear was their weapon of choice. These multifunctional weapons could be used for both throwing and thrusting.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/early-medieval-spearhead-dublin.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/ulfberth-hand-forged-germanic-javelin-spearhead.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/early-medieval-spearhead-22-cm.html
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/lichte-werpspeerpunt.html
Shield
The shield we used is again based on the Book of Kells. We utilized an old shield.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/wooden-round-shield.html